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en-usCopyright 2015 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/#commentsFiled under: TechnologyAccording to recent reports, nanotechology - controlling matter at an atomic and molecular level (thanks, Wikipedia!) - is about to hit the automobile world full-force. And the results could be both good and bad.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european unionEuropeanUnionnanonanotechnanotechnologyWed, 04 Aug 2010 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21034944/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/04/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/21034944/article-detail.xml21034944http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F08%2Fcarbon-nanotubes.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F08%2Fcarbon-nanotubes.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/nanotechnology-standards-coming-for-auto-industry/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, Emerging TechnologiesWe in no way claim to be experts on anything on the subject of nanotechnology, so please accept that we're kinda flying blind on this one... but apparently the the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale (thanks, Wikipedia!) is hitting the automobile world in full force. And that's both a good and (potentially) a very bad thing.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EUEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionFordGeelyvolvoVolvo GeelyVolvoGeelyWed, 07 Jul 2010 17:59:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21035497/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/07/eu-clears-volvos-sale-to-geely/21035497/article-detail.xml21035497http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F07%2F04-v60-630.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F07%2F04-v60-630.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/will-your-car-soon-have-talking-tires-shrader-electronics-think/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/will-your-car-soon-have-talking-tires-shrader-electronics-think/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/will-your-car-soon-have-talking-tires-shrader-electronics-think/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, EuropeWhether or not you believe properly inflated tires save fuel, more and more vehicles are coming equipped with tire pressure monitoring sensors (TPMS). Sensors mounted in either the valve or on the wheel itself measure tire pressure and alert drivers when their tires drop below a pre-set level of inflation. An Irish company (who's website is mysteriously malfunctioning as of this writing) coincidentally called Shrader Electronics has now taken TPMS to the next level.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e classEClasseueu patent officeEuPatentOfficeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionlimolimousinemercedesmercedes e-classmercedes-benz e-class pullmanMercedes-benzE-classPullmanpatentpatent officepullmanMon, 04 May 2009 09:27:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21045359/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/04/mercedes-benz-e-class-pullman-drawings-leak-from-european-patent/21045359/article-detail.xml21045359http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fes.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F04%2F580clase_e_limu__filt_36.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fes.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F04%2F580clase_e_limu__filt_36.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/clash-of-the-titans-fiat-squares-off-with-european-union-over-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/clash-of-the-titans-fiat-squares-off-with-european-union-over-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/clash-of-the-titans-fiat-squares-off-with-european-union-over-m/#commentsFiled under: Earnings/Financials, Government/Legal, Chrysler, Opel, EuropeAccording to The Detroit News, Guenter Verheugen, the European Union's Industry Commissioner, lashed out at Fiat on Friday in a radio interview, voicing concerns that the Italian automaker is acting irresponsibly to be considering new mergers and acquisitions when the company is already in debt. The public tongue-lashing from the EU official sent Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to the microphones to defend his position, asserting that the commissioner's "comments are not helpful to the ultimate goal of re-establishing a sound footing on which to build the future of this industry".

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropean unionEuropeanUnionfiatfiat chryslerfiat opelFiatChryslerFiatOpelmarchionnesergio marchionneMon, 27 Apr 2009 14:27:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21045506/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/27/clash-of-the-titans-fiat-squares-off-with-european-union-over-m/21045506/article-detail.xml21045506http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F04%2Fmarchionne-eu.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F04%2Fmarchionne-eu.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/28/frances-sarkozy-urges-verification-that-u-s-auto-aid-jibes-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/28/frances-sarkozy-urges-verification-that-u-s-auto-aid-jibes-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/28/frances-sarkozy-urges-verification-that-u-s-auto-aid-jibes-wit/#commentsFiled under: Earnings/Financials, Government/Legal, EuropeThe European Union made noises last year about having the WTO verify that the U.S. auto industry assistance package doesn't violate any international trade rules. Now French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will ask the World Trade Organization to stick their hands into the matter.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto industryauto industry bailoutAutoIndustryeueuroeuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionfrancegovernmentnicolas sarkozyNicolasSarkozyworld trade organizationwtoSat, 28 Feb 2009 08:23:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21046831/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/28/frances-sarkozy-urges-verification-that-u-s-auto-aid-jibes-wit/21046831/article-detail.xml21046831http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F02%2Ffreedomfry_opt.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2009%2F02%2Ffreedomfry_opt.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/how-nice-of-them-eu-lets-britain-keep-the-mile/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/how-nice-of-them-eu-lets-britain-keep-the-mile/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/how-nice-of-them-eu-lets-britain-keep-the-mile/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Europe, UKWhat Car is reporting that the European Parliament has graciously agreed to allow Britain to continue using the mile a bit longer. How nice of them. The EU has just passed a broad measure that allows shops to continue to display imperial and metric measures, thus keeping Britain from having to switch their speedometers and road signs to kilometers. The governing body had previously asked for firm dates from Britain and Ireland to make the switch and stop using Imperial measures, and though their neighbors in Ireland have already made the change, Britain remains noncommittal.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaineuropean parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanUnionimperialirelandThu, 18 Dec 2008 14:29:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21048494/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/18/how-nice-of-them-eu-lets-britain-keep-the-mile/21048494/article-detail.xml21048494http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F12%2F8milesign-opt.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F12%2F8milesign-opt.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/eu-sponsored-report-critical-of-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/eu-sponsored-report-critical-of-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/eu-sponsored-report-critical-of-electric-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: Green, Europe, ElectricThe European Union has been working on new legislation with the goal of reducing overall carbon emissions to just 130 g/km by 2015. Many believe that electric vehicles are the best way to achieve this ultimate goal, but internal reports may not agree with this assessment, according to the Financial Times. In fact, Jean Syrota, the former French energy industry regulator, is said to have authored a 129-page document that promotes the continued use of the internal combustion engine, albeit ICEs combined with new technology and advanced biofuels. Apparently, the closest that the report comes to suggesting that EVs have any potential is to promote range-extended models that wouldn't need extremely large capacity battery packs. The report also suggests setting strict speed limits in all of Europe, including Germany.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50cc50cc scooter50ccScootereuropean unionEuropeanUniontarifftariffsvespavespa svespa s 50VespaSVespaS50Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:01:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21095945/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/08/whats-the-beef-american-beef-issue-could-keep-european-motor/21095945/article-detail.xml21095945http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F11%2Fvespas50_taormina_orange_450.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F11%2Fvespas50_taormina_orange_450.jpg2 limit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/almost-maybe-finally-definitve-eu-to-establish-130-g-km-co-sub/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/almost-maybe-finally-definitve-eu-to-establish-130-g-km-co-sub/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/almost-maybe-finally-definitve-eu-to-establish-130-g-km-co-sub/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, EuropeThe telenovela story of limiting vehicle emissions in the EU might have finally reached its penultimate chapter. The Parliament and the French President of the European Union have, after far too long a time, found an agreement on CO2 emission limits for car manufacturers. Now it's just a matter of getting the European Commission to pass the agreement as a bill so it becomes law for the 27 country members.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2 emissionsco2 limitsCo2EmissionsCo2Limitsemission limitsEmissionLimitseuropean parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanUnionFri, 05 Dec 2008 09:22:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21095979/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/05/almost-maybe-finally-definitve-eu-to-establish-130-g-km-co-sub/21095979/article-detail.xml21095979http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F12%2Feuropean_parliament.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F12%2Feuropean_parliament.jpg2 limits between 2012 and 2015]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/france-wants-to-phase-in-co-sub-2-sub-limits-between-2012-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/france-wants-to-phase-in-co-sub-2-sub-limits-between-2012-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/france-wants-to-phase-in-co-sub-2-sub-limits-between-2012-and/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, EuropeThe drama of implementing carbon dioxide emissions limits for European cars continues this week with the latest directional change. This time around, with the French holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, a new proposal has emerged that would see the limits phased in over a three-year period beginning in 2012. Originally, the plan was to have each manufacturer's fleet average no more than 130 g/km of C02 emissions by 2012. Under the latest proposal, only 60 percent of an automaker's fleet would have to meet that requirement. Only by 2015 would everything built have to come down to that level. Beyond that, further emissions reductions to 95-110 g/km are proposed by the end of the decade. So far there isn't any indication that any of this will become law. Both the European Parliament and member states have to pass the rules for them to take effect.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2 emissionco2 emissionsco2 limitsco2 reductionsco2 regulationCo2EmissionCo2EmissionsCo2LimitsCo2ReductionsCo2Regulationeuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionWed, 01 Oct 2008 15:50:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21096853/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/01/france-wants-to-phase-in-co-sub-2-sub-limits-between-2012-and/21096853/article-detail.xml21096853http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Feu-flag-clouds_250web.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Feu-flag-clouds_250web.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/europe-scales-back-crop-biofuels-requirements/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/europe-scales-back-crop-biofuels-requirements/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/europe-scales-back-crop-biofuels-requirements/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, Biodiesel, Ethanol, EuropeSupport for crop-based biofuels is falling in many parts of the world, including Europe. When the European Commission proposed that 10 percent of road transport fuel should come from renewable sources by 2020 it didn't specify what types of renewable energy should be used. The European Parliament's industry committee has now endorsed the 10 percent requirement. However, in a nod to environmentalists, the committee has decided that at least 40 percent of that should be provided by hydrogen or electricity from renewable sources or next-generation biofuels. Environmentalists still aren't entirely pleased but the move to limit use of crop-based fuels is seen as a positive development. The committee's decision will be used as the basis for negotiations among member states of the EU before passage of final regulations, likely some time in 2009.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelseueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUnionrenewablerenewable energyRenewableEnergyMon, 15 Sep 2008 13:59:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21097089/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/15/europe-scales-back-crop-biofuels-requirements/21097089/article-detail.xml21097089http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Feu-flag-clouds_250web.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Feu-flag-clouds_250web.jpg2 standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/eu-continues-to-backpedal-on-co-sub-2-sub-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/eu-continues-to-backpedal-on-co-sub-2-sub-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/07/eu-continues-to-backpedal-on-co-sub-2-sub-standards/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, EuropeJust the other day, we heard the European Union was thinking of lowering its CO2 standards for automakers. It appears that the rumors were true, as the European Parliament has indeed voted to amend the proposed standards. The details are pretty difficult to follow, as this particular issue has been going on for an excruciatingly long time, so bear with us here. The gist is that the Commission will grant automakers a longer period of time to meet the now-not-as-clean target of 130g/km of carbon emissions along with reducing the amount that automakers would be fined for missing that target. To go along with this, credits would be earned for models which produce fewer than 70g/km. That makes some sense, as it may get automakers to push for that low figure. The problem is that up to five other vehicles could be offset by that one low emitter. That's pretty bad math. Expect these issues to be voted on in the near future.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropean commissioneuropean parliamenteuropean unionEuropeanUnionSun, 07 Sep 2008 14:35:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21097185/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/07/eu-continues-to-backpedal-on-co-sub-2-sub-standards/21097185/article-detail.xml21097185http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Fparlament-europeen.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F09%2Fparlament-europeen.jpg2 emissions limits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/european-parliament-scales-back-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-limits/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/european-parliament-scales-back-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-limits/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/02/european-parliament-scales-back-co-sub-2-sub-emissions-limits/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, Fuel Efficiency, EuropeIt looks like European automakers are winning their battle against the proposed European Union limits on automotive CO2 emissions. While the European Commission had proposed a limit of 120 g/km for the vehicle fleet by 2012, manufacturers where claiming the limit was too aggressive. The members of parliament apparently agreed, with the Industry and Energy Committee voting 35-21 to slow things down. Instead of having the entire fleet meet the requirement, only 60 percent of vehicles will have to pass the new threshold in 2012. Over the next several years, through 2015, the rest of the vehicles will meet the standard as well. Extremely low emission vehicles with less than 50 g/km of CO2 will also be given extra credit counting as 1.5 vehicles in the sales weighted averaging. All electric vehicles will count as three cars until 2015. In a further move sure to make environmentalists apoplectic, the fines for exceeding the limits were slashed from the EC's proposed €95 per gram of CO2 over the limit to €40 per gram.

With the European Union tightening restrictions on carbon emissions, danger has been spelled out in big bright letters for the sportscar-makers we know and love. The bulk of the world's best supercar manufacturers - including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Aston Martin and Porsche - reside in Europe, but while industry executives continue to campaign for exception and protection, things don't look good. There are, however, a few solutions that could keep the exotic automakers in business and unmolested.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2emissionseueuropean unionEuropeanUnionlegislationregulationsTue, 05 Aug 2008 19:32:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21051444/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/05/endangered-species-europes-sportscar-makers-worried-about-the/21051444/article-detail.xml21051444http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2006%2F12%2Feu_parliament.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2006%2F12%2Feu_parliament.jpghttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/eu-grants-porsche-permission-to-purchase-vw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/eu-grants-porsche-permission-to-purchase-vw/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/eu-grants-porsche-permission-to-purchase-vw/#commentsFiled under: Earnings/Financials, Government/Legal, Porsche, Volkswagen, EuropePorsche is one step closer to its goal of purchasing Volkswagen. Back in April of last year, the German automaker passed the 30-percent mark, forcing it to make an outright offer for The Volkswagen Group in its entirety, which it did. Not too many VW shareholders sold their stake to Porsche, as the bid was for the bare minimum amount allowed by law. Still, the legal requirement had been met, allowing Porsche to continue gobbling up the automaker according to its own timetable. Earlier this year, the VeeDub board approved a request by Porsche to obtain 51-percent of the company for some $15.73 billion, which would give it a majority stake. Before the house that Ferdinand built could complete its acquisition, the European Commission required it to make one last purchase, which took place in June of this year. Finally, the EU has granted its permission for the buyout.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon emissionsCarbonEmissionseueuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanUnionfiatSergio MarchionneMon, 30 Jun 2008 19:04:00 ESThttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/21098050/article-comments.xmlhttp://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/30/fiat-ceo-sergio-marchionne-still-hating-on-eu-co-sub-2-sub-reg/21098050/article-detail.xml21098050http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/376x212/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F04%2Fnew_logo_fiat_1.jpghttp://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800x450/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fgreen.autoblog.com%2Fmedia%2F2008%2F04%2Fnew_logo_fiat_1.jpg2 agreement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/italy-not-on-board-with-french-german-co-sub-2-sub-agreement/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/italy-not-on-board-with-french-german-co-sub-2-sub-agreement/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/italy-not-on-board-with-french-german-co-sub-2-sub-agreement/#commentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Green, EuropeMy, how the tables have turned. First, it was Germany that was in opposition to stringent emissions standards in the European Union which would have regulated the amount of carbon dioxide a vehicle can emit, beginning in 2012. German automakers tend to make large, luxurious vehicles with big, powerful engines. France, though, did not want to see changes made to the regulations, as its automakers already were close to meeting the proposals and thought it would be unfair to make concessions just for German brands. So, the two countries had a little meeting and came to some sort of agreement which would not go into effect until 2015.